Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats: Medical Imaging, Biopsy, Treatment and Prognosis Acute Pancreatitis Bij Honden En Katten: M

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats: Medical Imaging, Biopsy, Treatment and Prognosis Acute Pancreatitis Bij Honden En Katten: M Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift, 2010, 79 Theme: acute pancreatitis in dogs and cats 99 Acute pancreatitis in dogs and cats: medical imaging, biopsy, treatment and prognosis Acute pancreatitis bij honden en katten: medische beeldvorming, bioptname, behandeling en prognose 1I. Van den Bossche, 1D. Paepe, 2J. Saunders, 3M. Hesta, 1S. Daminet 1Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology 2Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals 3Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium [email protected] ABSTRACT Diagnosing acute pancreatitis in dogs and cats is difficult. Abdominal ultrasonography provides specific information about the size, shape and homogeneity of the pancreas, but is very dependent on the experience of the operator and the quality of the echography machine. Abdominal radiography is less useful, while computed tomography is less practicable in veterinary patients because of the anesthesia risks, the need for experienced operators, and the high cost. Furthermore, computed tomography has low diagnostic value in cats. Biopsy of pancreatic tissue remains the gold standard. Treatment consists of fluid therapy and nutritional support, combined with pain medication, anti-emetics and antibiotics. The prognosis in dogs and cats is variable and largely depends on the clinical condition of the patient at admission. It is usually guarded, especially in cats. SAMENVATTING Het diagnosticeren van acute pancreatitis bij honden en katten is moeilijk. Abdominale echografie verschaft specifieke informatie over de grootte, vorm en homogeniciteit van de pancreas maar is erg afhankelijk van de ervaring van de uitvoerder en de kwaliteit van het echografietoestel. Radiografieën van het abdomen zijn minder nuttig, terwijl computertomografie minder bruikbaar is bij diergeneeskundige patiënten omwille van het anesthesierisico, de nood aan ervaren uitvoerders en de hoge kostprijs. Bovendien heeft computertomografie een lage diagnostische waarde bij de kat. De biopsie van pancreasweefsel blijft de gouden standaard. De behandeling omvat vloeistoftherapie en nutritionele ondersteuning in combinatie met pijnmedicatie, anti-emetica en antibiotica. De prognose bij de hond en de kat is variabel en afhankelijk van de klinische toestand van de patiënt op het tijdstip dat hij aangeboden wordt, maar ze is meestal gereserveerd, vooral bij katten. INTRODUCTION MEDICAL IMAGING In practice, acute pancreatitis is a common disorder Radiography which can be difficult to diagnose. Because of the nonspecific signs and limitations of the currently avai- Under normal circumstances, the pancreas is not vi- lable laboratory tests, medical imaging plays an im- sible on plain radiographs (Simpson and Lamb, 1995; portant role in diagnosing acute pancreatitis in dogs and Bischoff, 2003). In dogs with acute pancreatitis, in crea- cats. Because delayed therapy can lead to a fatal out- sed opacity and loss of visceral detail can be seen in the come, a rapid recognition of the disease is important. right cranial abdomen (‘ground glass’ appearance) as- This report is the second one in a series of three, which sociated with local peritonitis (Hess et al., 1998; Bi- gives a review of acute pancreatitis in dogs and cats. schoff, 2003; Ruaux, 2003) (Figures 1a and 1b). On This article will discuss the indications, as well as the ventrodorsal projections, the inflamed pancreas can advantages and disadvantages of the various medical cause a displacement of the pyloric antrum to the left, imaging techniques and of pancreatic biopsies. In ad- the descending duodenum to the right and the trans- dition, the treatment options and prognosis will be re- verse colon caudally (Simpson and Lamb, 1995; Hess viewed. et al., 1998; Bischoff, 2003; Ruaux, 2003; Mix and Jo- nes, 2006). In some patients, the proximal duodenum appears dilated and fixed (C-shaped), displaced late- 100 Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift, 2010, 79 Figure 1a. Loss of serosal detail in the right cranial ab- domen (arrow) on a ventrodorsal radioraphic image of a dog with acute pancreatitis. rally and dorsally, with a widening of the pyloroduo- denal angle (Bunch, 2003; Ruaux, 2003; Watson, 2004). A static gas pattern can be noted in the trans- verse colon and the descending duodenum, the wall of which can be thickened (Hess et al., 1998; Bischoff, 2003). Gastric distention suggesting gastric outlet ob- struction is another possible abnormality (Bunch, 2003). Radiographs of the thorax can show pleural ef- fusion (Bischoff, 2003) or pulmonary disease (edema Figure 1b. Lateral radiographic image of the abdomen of or pneumonia) (Hess et al., 1998). the dog seen in figure 1a. Unfortunately, in one study of fatal cases of canine pancreatitis (Hess et al., 1998), these possible abdo- abdomen can be evaluated at the same time. In addi- minal radiographic signs compatible with acute pan- tion, it is becoming more available for general practi- creatitis were seen in only 24% of the patients, whereas tioners (Watson, 2004). It is however important to un- 68% showed ultrasonographic abnormalities sugge- derline that the diagnostic value of US is strongly stive of pancreatitis. Therefore, abdominal radiography operator and machine dependent. Furthermore, the de- has a low sensitivity in diagnosing pancreatitis. In gree of pancreatic inflammation and edema also plays spite of this disadvantage, radiography offers the as- a role (Simpson and Lamb, 1995; Ruaux, 2003; Wat- sessment of other abdominal organs for ruling out dif- son, 2004; Mix and Jones, 2006). In contrast to radio- ferential diagnoses, such as intestinal foreign body. graphy, ultrasonography gives more specific informa- Furthermore, radiography is a widely and easily avai- tion about the size, shape and homogeneity of the lable technique, which remains relatively inexpensive. pancreas (Simpson and Lamb, 1995; Bunch, 2003; Radiography can be used in conjunction with abdomi- Watson, 2004). However, false negative results are nal ultrasound (Watson, 2004; Mix and Jones, 2006). possible (Ruaux, 2003), while not all lesions can be In cats with acute pancreatitis, the same radio - correlated with the clinical status of the patient (Mix graphic changes can be seen as in dogs (Gerhardt et and Jones, 2006). Therefore, it cannot be used as an ex- al., 2001; Ferreri et al., 2003). However, these signs clusion diagnostic procedure. In cats, more work has are often subtle and inconsistent (Hill and Van Winkle, been published to evaluate the sensitivity of several US 1993; Mansfield and Jones, 2001), and the most abnormalities of the pancreas. In contrast, the availa- reported features are reduced abdominal contrast (28- ble information in dogs is limited and further investi- 50%), dilated bowel loops (24-42%) and pleural gation is required. effusion (20-29%) (Gerhardt et al., 2001; Saunders et Most typically, there is a focal area of pain when al., 2002; Ferreri et al., 2003). In cats, hepatomegaly the US probe is placed over the region of the pancreas. can be seen in cases of concurrent hepatic lipidosis Due to edema, pancreatic swelling and peri-pancreatic (Akol et al., 1993). fat necrosis, the inflamed pancreas is more easy to localize than the normal pancreas (Watson, 2004). Abdominal ultrasonography Findings suggestive for acute pancreatitis in dogs include a diffusely enlarged pancreas (more than 2 cm One of the most reliable and increasingly used diag - in diameter) with hypoechoic parenchyma, hyper - nostic tools for pancreatitis in dogs and cats is ultra- echoic surrounding mesentery and generalized or local sound (US) of the abdomen. US has the advantage of peritoneal effusion (Simpson and Lamb, 1995; Hess et being non-invasive, safe and relatively low in cost. In- al., 1998; Ruaux, 2003; Mansfield, 2004; Watson, formation can be obtained immediately and the whole 2004; Mix and Jones, 2006) (Figure 2). Thickening of Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift, 2010, 79 101 Figure 2. Ultrasonographic image: hypoechoic enlarged Figure 3. Ultrasonographic image: hypoechoic enlarged pancreas (big arrow) lined by hyperechoic mesentery pancreas (big arrow) with several, regularly outlined (small arrow) in a dog with acute pancreatitis. hyperechoic spots (small arrow) in a cat with acute pan- creatitis. irregular or hypoechoic pancreas and hyperechoic peripancreatic mesentery were found by Kimmel et al. (2001) in respectively 64% and 43% of the cases involving cats (Figure 3). Beyond this, more subtle and non-pancreatic changes can be diagnostically impor - tant as well. Additional ultrasonographic abnormalities in cats include abdominal effusion (31-45%), distention of the gallbladder and common bile duct (17-24%) (Figure 4), and thrombosis of the pan - creaticoduodenal vein (5%). A hyperechoic, enlarged liver consistent with hepatic lipidosis was seen in 28- 45% of cats with acute pancreatitis (Akol et al., 1993; Figure 4. Ultrasonographic image: dilation of the com- Gerhardt et al., 2001; Kimmel et al., 2001; Saunders et mon bile duct (arrow) in a cat with acute pancreatitis. al., 2002; Ferreri et al.; 2003). Less frequent findings included small hyperechoic kidneys, mesenteric the stomach or duodenal wall and dilated bile ducts lymphadenopathy, intestinal abnormalities and small can be present (Simpson and Lamb, 1995; Bunch, gallbladder with inspissated bile (Saunders et al., 2003; Watson, 2004; Mix and Jones, 2006). In one 2002). study, pancreatitis was
Recommended publications
  • Canine Pancreatitis
    Canine Pancreatitis The pancreas is a glandular organ that lies along the base of the stomach and the entrance into the small intestine (the duodenum). Its function is to produce digestive enzymes and insulin. The enzymes produced by the pancreas are only activated when released into the duodenum through the pancreatic duct. In the case of pancreatitis (inflammation), the enzymes may become activated while inside the organ causing “digestion” of the delicate tissues therein. This is a very painful condition and is certainly life-threatening. Vomiting is the most common symptom of pancreatitis; however, in sub-acute or chronic cases it may or may not occur. Pancreatitis may be triggered by the recent ingestion of a high fat meal; it may be associated with medications or parasitic infection of the organ; and certain dog breeds are predisposed to this disease. Pancreatitis must be treated swiftly and aggressively, then managed and prevented in the long term to prevent relapse. Miniature Schnauzers are the poster-children of pancreatitis. Any breed can succumb to the disease, but Schnauzers are more likely to develop refractory (non-responsive) and chronic illness. Diabetic dogs are also predisposed to pancreatitis; and, if a large portion of the pancreas which produces insulin is damaged during an episode, diabetes mellitus can occur secondarily. Furthermore, certain drugs and chemotherapy agents can increase a dog’s susceptibility to pancreatitis. In many acute cases, there is a history of the dog consuming a large portion of fat from brisket trimmings, a ham bone, or other table scraps. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, a painful abdomen, inappetence (disinterest in food), and fever.
    [Show full text]
  • Canine Diabetes Mellitus: Can Old Dogs Teach Us New Tricks?
    Diabetologia (2005) 48: 1948–1956 DOI 10.1007/s00125-005-1921-1 REVIEW B. Catchpole . J. M. Ristic . L. M. Fleeman . L. J. Davison Canine diabetes mellitus: can old dogs teach us new tricks? Received: 23 April 2004 / Accepted: 19 May 2005 / Published online: 8 September 2005 # Springer-Verlag 2005 Abstract Background: Diabetes is common in dogs, with immune-mediated beta cell destruction considered to be the an estimated prevalence of 0.32% in the UK. Clinical major underlying causes of the disease. Discussion: Auto- signs, as in man, include polydipsia, polyuria and weight antibodies to insulin, recombinant canine GAD65 and/or loss, associated with hyperglycaemia and glucosuria. Di- canine islet antigen-2 have been identified in a proportion abetes typically occurs in dogs between 5 and 12 years of of newly diagnosed diabetic dogs, suggesting that autoim- age, and is uncommon under 3 years of age. Breeds munity is involved in the pathogenesis of disease in some predisposed to diabetes include the Samoyed, Tibetan patients. Conclusion: The late onset and slow progression of Terrier and Cairn Terrier, while others such as the Boxer beta cell dysfunction in canine diabetes resembles latent and German Shepherd Dog seem less susceptible. These autoimmune diabetes of the adult in man. breed differences suggest a genetic component, and at least one dog leucocyte antigen haplotype (DLA Keywords Autoantibodies . Dog . Dog leucocyte DRB1*009, DQA1*001, DQB1*008) appears to be antigen . Endocrine diseases . Insulin deficiency . associated with susceptibility to diabetes. Methods: Canine Pancreatitis diabetes can be classified into insulin deficiency diabetes (IDD), resulting from a congenital deficiency or acquired Abbreviations DLA: dog leucocyte antigen .
    [Show full text]
  • Canine Pancreatitis
    CANINE PANCREATITIS What is pancreatitis? The pancreas is a vital organ which lies on the right side of the abdomen. It has two functions: 1) To Produce Digestive Enzymes 2) To Produce Hormones Such As Insulin When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the disorder is called pancreatitis. It is a disease process that is seen commonly in the dog. There is no age, sex, or breed predisposition. There are two main forms of acute or sudden onset pancreatitis: 1) the mild, edematous form and 2) the more severe, hemorrhagic form. A few dogs that recover from an acute episode of pancreatitis may continue to have recurrent bouts of the acute disease, known as chronic, relapsing pancreatitis. The associated inflammation allows digestive enzymes to spill into the abdominal cavity resulting in secondary damage to the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, and intestines. What causes it? The cause of pancreatitis is not known; however, there may be several contributory factors. It is often associated with eating a rich, fatty meal. In some cases, it may be associated with the administration of corticosteroids; however, some dogs with pancreatitis do not have exposure to either. Under normal conditions, digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are activated when they reach the small intestines. In pancreatitis, these enzymes are activated prematurely in the pancreas instead of in the small intestines. This results in digestion of the pancreas itself. The clinical signs of pancreatitis are often variable, and the intensity of the disease will depend on the quantity of enzymes that are prematurely activated. What are the clinical signs? The diagnosis of pancreatitis is based on three criteria: clinical signs, laboratory tests, and radiographs (x- rays) and/or ultrasound examination.
    [Show full text]
  • Canine Pancreatitis
    LePar Animal Hospital 3811 W. 95th St. Evergreen Park, IL 60805 708-423-3200 www.leparvet.com Canine Pancreatitis The Normal Pancreas and What it Does We eat food, chew it up into slurry, and swallow it. It travels down the esophagus to the stomach where it is ground up further and enzymes are added to begin the breakdown of dietary nutrients (digestion). When the food particles are small enough, they are propelled into the small intestine for further digestive treatment and ultimately nutrient absorption. The small intestine has three portions, the duodenum that connects to the stomach and the jejunum and ileum below. The jejunum and ileum are mostly involved in absorption but the duodenum, being so close to the stomach, is the site of further digestion. There are two ducts that enter the duodenum near where the stomach contents enter. One duct is for bile which is squirted in directly from the liver’s gall bladder. The bile serves to neutralize the acid that the stomach has added to dissolve dietary fats for absorption later in the tract, and also to excrete some toxins. The other duct is the pancreatic duct that squirts in more digestive enzymes so as to break down starches and continue the breakdown of protein. The pancreas is a pale pink glandular organ that nestles cozily just under the stomach and along the duodenum. As a glandular organ, the pancreas is all about secretion. It has two main jobs. The first job is to secrete digestive enzymes to help us break down the food we eat, and the second job is to secrete insulin and glucagon (to regulate sugar metabolism).
    [Show full text]
  • Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Canines: an JEZS 2018; 6(5): 854-858 © 2018 JEZS Update Received: 17-07-2018 Accepted: 18-08-2018
    Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 2018; 6(5): 854-858 E-ISSN: 2320-7078 P-ISSN: 2349-6800 Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in canines: An JEZS 2018; 6(5): 854-858 © 2018 JEZS update Received: 17-07-2018 Accepted: 18-08-2018 Anand Kumar Singh Anand Kumar Singh, Wani Ilyas, Neeraj Thakur and Alok Singh Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Abstract and Animal Sciences, GBPUAT, Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, is primary and principal disease seen in dogs and cats and Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India presents a spectrum of disease severities from acute to chronic and mild to severe. It is usually sterile, but Wani Ilyas the etiology and pathogenesis remains poorly understood and is often misdiagnosed. During acute Department of Veterinary conditions, it possesses the potential for complete recovery but in chronic pancreatitis manifested by Medicine, College of Veterinary persistent pain, recovery is compromised and can lead to several dysfunctions within the body. Pancreas and Animal Sciences, GBPUAT, is among one of the organs within the body that possesses both exocrine and endocrine functions. Dogs Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) secrete inadequate amount of essential digestive enzymes, which lead to malabsorption and maldigestion clinically manifested by anorexia, digestive disturbances, Neeraj Thakur weight loss and loss of general body condition. Diagnosis of pancreatitis remains a challenge to Department of Veterinary veterinarians and most cases require a battery of tests including imaging, hematology and biochemical Medicine, College of Veterinary analysis. Various therapies are used for dog’s suffering from EPI, but by far the most successful is and Animal Sciences, GBPUAT, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy in association with dietary modification.
    [Show full text]
  • Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs: a Review Article
    GASTEROINTESTINAL SYSTEM ORIGINAL WORK(GR) Acute pancreatitis in dogs: a review article I. Kalli(1) K. Adamama-Moraitou(1), T. S. Rallis(1) SUMMARY Canine acute pancreatitis is a relatively common disease, but it is often misdiagnosed. The most common causes of acute pancreatitis in dogs include malnutrition, drug administration, infection, trauma, refl ux of duodenum contents into the pancreatic duct and ischaemia. Idiopathic causes have also been encountered. The clinical signs of the disease are not specifi c and are often associated with a number of life-threatening, severe systemic complications. Despite the continuing new knowledge of pancreatic pathophysiology, the aetiopathogenesis of canine pancreatitis is still unclear and subsequently treatment is supportive. Key words: Exocrine pancreas; Canine; Aetiology; Pathogenesis Defi nition and Incidence Outline of anatomy and physiology According to the Atlanta Symposium, acute pancreatitis (AP) of the pancreas is defi ned as an acute infl ammatory process of the pancreas The pancreas lies in the cranioventral abdomen and consists of with variable involvement of other regional tissues or remote right and left lobes with a small central body. The right lobe lies organ systems [1]. The above defi nition refers to humans, but in contact or in close proximity to the descending duodenum it also characterizes the disease in dogs. Based on the patient’s and contains most of the pancreatic polypeptide-producing condition, it is classifi ed as mild, moderate or severe, and non cells, while the left lobe lies between the greater curvature of - fatal or fatal [2, 3]. Histopathological criteria for AP include the stomach and the transverse colon and contains glucagon- pancreatic oedema and necrosis, infi ltration of mononuclear secreting cells.
    [Show full text]
  • Prevalence of Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs
    Journal of Animal Research: v.10 n.3, p. 453-458. June 2020 DOI: 10.30954/2277-940X.03.2020.19 Prevalence of Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs C.M. Abhilaasha1, D. Chandrasekaran2*, S. Kavitha1 and S. Vairamuthu3 1Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA 2Department of Clinics, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA 3Centralized Clinical Laboratory, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA *Corresponding author: D Chandrasekaran; E-mail: [email protected] Received: 28 April, 2020 Revised: 16 May, 2020 Accepted: 19 May, 2020 ABSTRACT The study was aimed to study the prevalence of acute pancreatitis in dogs. Forty dogs with history of acute onset of vomiting, abdominal pain and anorexia were screened for acute pancreatitis by radiography, abdominal ultrasound and confirmed by SNAP cPL (Canine pancreatic lipase) kit test. Fourteen (0.375 per cent of gastrointestinal cases) dogs found to be positive for acute pancreatitis by abdominal ultrasound, out of which SNAP cPL was positive in nine dogs (64 per cent). Among this 64.3 per cent was secondary acute pancreatitis and 35.7 per cent being primary acute pancreatitis. Highest prevalence was observed in male, Non-descriptive dogs, irrespective of age group. The common history and clinical findings recorded were anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, tachycardia, tachypnea, praying posture and pyrexia. Keywords: Acute pancreatitis, Dogs, prevalence Acute pancreatitis is defined as sudden onset and severe parasitic and mycoplasmal causes), or potentially immune inflammatory condition of pancreas, which is characterized mediated disease.
    [Show full text]
  • Canine Pancreatitis
    Canine Pancreatitis 803-808-7387 www.gracepets.com What is pancreatitis? The pancreas is a vital organ which lies on the right side of the abdomen. It has two functions: 1) To produce digestive enzymes to assist in food digestion 2) To produce hormones such as insulin When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the disorder is called pancreatitis. It is a disease process that is seen commonly in the dog. There is no age, sex, or breed predisposition. There are two main forms of acute or sudden onset pancreatitis: 1) the mild, edematous form and 2) the more severe, hemorrhagic form. A few dogs that recover from an acute episode of pancreatitis may continue to have recurrent bouts of the disease, which is then called chronic, relapsing pancreatitis. The associated inflammation allows digestive enzymes to spill into the abdominal cavity resulting in secondary damage to the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, and intestines. What causes pancreatitis? The cause of pancreatitis is not known; however, there may be several contributory factors. It is often associated with eating a rich, fatty meal. In some cases, it may be associated with the administration of corticosteroids; however, some dogs with pancreatitis do not have exposure to either. Under normal conditions, digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are activated when they reach the small intestine. In pancreatitis, these enzymes are activated prematurely in the pancreas instead of in the small intestine. This results in digestion of the pancreas itself. The clinical signs of pancreatitis are often variable, and the intensity of the disease will depend on the quantity of enzymes that are prematurely activated.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Practices and Research Updates on Diabetes Mellitus in Canine
    Veterinary World, EISSN: 2231-0916 REVIEW ARTICLE Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.7/November-2014/10.pdf Open Access Current practices and research updates on diabetes mellitus in canine Pankaj Kumar1, Rashmi Rekha Kumari2, Manish Kumar3, Sanjiv Kumar4 and Asit Chakrabarti1 1. Division of Livestock and Fisheries Management, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar, India; 2. Department of Pharmacology, Bihar Veterinary College, Patna, Bihar, India; 3. Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India; 4. Department of Pathology, Bihar Veterinary College, Patna, Bihar, India. Corresponding author: Pankaj Kumar, e-mail: [email protected], RRK: [email protected], MK: [email protected], SK: [email protected], AC: [email protected] Received: 31-07-2014, Revised: 05-10-2014, Accepted: 09-10-2014, Published online: 14-11-2014 doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.952-959. How to cite this article: Kumar P, Kumari RR, Kumar M, Kumar S, Chakrabarti A (2014) Current practices and research updates on diabetes mellitus in canine, Veterinary World 7(11): 952-959. Abstract Diabetes has evidence in ancient literatures, though recently is being considered as one amongst the most emerging disease condition in both human and companion animals. Diabetes mellitus is one of the common endocrinopathy of dog characterized by hyperglycemia, glycosuria and weight loss. Reports suggests high fraction of canine population suffer with diabetes world over. Studies in different veterinary hospitals of United States suggest increase in cases of canine diabetes and decrease in case fatality rate over time. Increase in cases of canine diabetes worldwide is attributed to awareness amongst pet owners, better veterinary health facilities, breed preferences by dog owners, increase dependence on commercial feeds, obesity, etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Treatment Options for Canine Pancreatitis Dr
    Treatment Options for Canine Pancreatitis Dr. Elizabeth Carsten, DVM, DACVIM—IDEXX Reference Laboratories, Internal Medicine Background Pancreatitis is a potentially fatal disease which occurs veterinary patients have been anorexic for >48 hours commonly in dogs. The disease is challenging to at the time of presentation, thus further withholding of diagnose as symptoms (vomiting, anorexia and nutrition is likely detrimental. abdominal pain) tend to be common and nonspecific. Alternatively, nutritional support can be provided by IDEXX Reference Laboratories’ recent introduction of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) or enteral nutrition (EN). the Spec cPL® (canine pancreas-specific lipase) Test, Experts recommend enteral nutritional support in all provides a rapid and accurate diagnosis of pancreatitis. patients with pancreatitis. EN stabilizes the gut barrier, Once diagnosed, pancreatitis can be effectively and improves enterocyte health and immune function, appropriately managed to decrease patient morbidity improves GI motility and prevents catabolism. Enteral and mortality. There are a variety of treatment options nutrition can be provided by a variety of feeding tubes, available. Disease severity varies with etiology and including nasogastric (NG) or nasoesophogeal (NE) local or systemic complications, thus treatment should tubes, esophogostomy tubes, gastrostomy tubes or be individualized. jejunostomy tubes. Jejunostomy tubes bypass the pancreas and can be used in patients when vomiting Fluid Therapy cannot be controlled. Endoscopically placed jejunostomy Intravenous fluids are the mainstay of therapy for tubes have been described in dogs and provide an pancreatitis. Initially fluids should correct dehydration over opportunity for EN without prolonged anesthesia and the first 12–24 hours, while also meeting maintenance surgery. While TPN will support the rest of the body, needs.
    [Show full text]
  • Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
    Beyond the Bloodwork: Diagnostics for Liver Disease Scott Owens, DVM, MS, DACVIM MedVet Indianopolis Carmel, IN The liver is a vital organ necessary for many functions in the body, including nutrient metabolism and detoxification of various substances. As a result, liver dysfunction due to many different etiologies can be potentially life threatening. The powerful regenerative capability of the liver, however, makes early disease detection critical when considering a favorable long term prognosis. Liver diseases can be divided in to two broad categories: hepatocellular injury and hepatocellular dysfunction / failure. Clinical signs may overlap between these two groupings, and in general will typically be non-specific with liver disease. These categories can frequently be differentiated based on initial laboratory work, including a serum chemistry panel, complete blood count, and urinalysis. More often, however, baseline blood work will be suggestive of generalized liver disease but more information will be required to make informed decisions on treatment and prognosis. Serum biochemistry profile ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT are all liver enzymes that can be elevated with liver injury or dysfunction. The pattern of elevation can be helpful in determining the source of the injury. For example, if ALT and AST are substantially higher than ALP then damage to hepatobiliary cells should be suspected. If, however, GGT and ALP are more elevated compared to ALT then biliary obstruction or cell membrane damage should be suspected. Elevated total bilirubin would also be expected with the latter (Center SA 2007). With severe liver disease (ie. chronic active hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, toxicity-induced failure, etc.) all four of the previously mentioned enzymes may be markedly elevated due to multifactorial cellular injury.
    [Show full text]
  • Analytical Study of Pancreatitis in Dogs
    Journal of Dairy & Veterinary Sciences ISSN: 2573-2196 Research Article Dairy and Vet Sci J Volume 6 Issue 2 - May 2018 Copyright © All rights are reserved by Rahmoun Djallal Eddine DOI: 10.19080/JDVS.2018.06.555681 Analytical Study of Pancreatitis in Dogs Rahmoun Djallal Eddine* and Fares Mohamed Amine Institute of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences of Taoura, Algeria Submission: March 03, 2018; Published: May 16, 2018 *Corresponding author: Rahmoun Djallal Eddine, Institute of Agronomic and Veterinary Sciences of Taoura - Souk Ahras, Algeria, Tel: ; Email: Abstract A number of theoretical and practical questions about canine pancreatitis persuading that anatomical and morphological changes, also biochemical, are the only diagnostic mode for this disease that affects the pancreas, major roles in the digestion and secretion of endocrine hormones . Analysis of literature data on biochemical parameters during pancreas functions exam; a diagnosis performed on serum enzyme correlations changes during pancreatitis treatment in experimental animals determined by statistical analysis of biochemical parameters of canine pancreatitis. The demonstration of typical clinical signs of this disease adjusted by the typical methods of diagnosis, will develop the topical treatment can be established and treatments. Keywords: Canine pancreatitis; Diagnostic; Biochemical parameters; Serum; Enzyme; Statistical analysis; Sedimentation rate; Necrosis; Hemorrhagic; Epigastric; Palpation; Relapses; Hyper-secretion; ; Bilirubin; Glucoseurea; Creatinine Abbreviations: ALT: Alanine Amino-Transferase; AST: Aspartate Amino-Transferase; ESR: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Introduction Severity of pancreas symptoms changes could be benign observed in the liver [4], bile ducts, intestines and kidneys [5]. (edematous pancreatitis) or severe and even life menacing insufficiency with progressive weight loss. Other symptoms are (pancreatic necrosis hemorrhagic).
    [Show full text]